Unleash 2009 January 22, 2009

Unleash 2008 was Great! We got so many comments from leaders about how awesome our volunteers were. They could not believe that over 350 people were here just to serve them. We had a blast last year and used every opportunity we could to go over and beyond for our guests. Here’s one experience that was mailed in…

“On the way to Unleash yesterday, I found out it was a volunteer’s birthday. We were already on the bus, though, and I was racking my brain for something we could do for her. During lunch I asked one of your stellar volunteers (I think her name is Christine – young with blond hair) if there was any chance you guys kept candles in VHQ. Within minutes, Christine returned with several candles AND a lighter and we were able to celebrate our volunteer’s birthday over a candle-lit Chic-fil-a bun! It was just ONE MORE example of how NewSpring volunteers EXCEED expectations and WOW guests EVERY TIME THEY SERVE! I am so proud of the volunteers at NewSpring! The Guest Services department really showed our Elevators how to improve their service! Our volunteers went on and on about how great NewSpring volunteers are!

NewSpring Vols – Thank you for all your hard work for Unleash! Thank you for sacrificing your time! Your IMPACT reaches far beyond what you will ever know! Yesterday you had the opportunity to serve over 2000 people whose job is to serve others. By ministering to them, you have indirectly ministered to multiplied thousands. You have IMPACTED how ministry is done all over the United States (and the UK!). What an honor it is to have met you! I hope you were as encouraged as we were by Unleash and I hope you realize how important you are! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Sweet! Here’s your chance to do it again and even better. The chance you’ve all been waiting for. Are you ready to serve thousands of church leaders from across the world? Are you ready for an opportunity to show Jesus freaks how to be freaks for Jesus? Are you ready to set the example of the body of Christ functioning to its fullest to make the name of Jesus famous?

Thursday, March 12, 2009 is your chance.

We are ready to get you committed to be contagious. Here’s what you need to do…

Go here http://tinyurl.com/unleash09and and enter the initial info that we need from you at this time. Go ahead and mark your calendar and we will follow up with you with more details as we set the schedule.

Thank you guys in advance for blowing the minds of those attending Unleash 2009!

Anderson Campus January 19, 2009

Anderson Campus, originally uploaded by sherry.moorhead.

Just sharing a view from the sky. This is amazing.
I had a volunteer tell me yesterday of a family that she met at church last weekend when we had barf bags on the seats. They starting talking because of the curiosity of the bags on the seats and what they were for. She was telling me that she joked with them that the bags were probably for the people that can’t handle the cool aid. Ha, ha. She said they laughed and then proceeded to tell her that it was their first time here at NewSpring. oops! ha.
They then told her that they were from West Virginia and came to Anderson for the weekend just to attend NewSpring. She said her husband had watched online and they wanted to come see it in person. People, that really happened. Wow.

Parkers ROCK! January 19, 2009

Heard two comments this morning about how awesome our Parking team volunteers are.  One said that every Sunday they make sure they pull in the same entrance to see “Bulldog”, an amazing volunteer.  They said he’s always smiling and they love to see him on Sunday mornings.  I had another that came to church for the first time Sunday say that they were blown away by our parking team and how happy they were as they directed them to a parking space.  Our Parking team is amazing and I want you all to know that what you do every week is showing people Jesus.  Thank you for starting the service in the parking lot.

Words of a Volunteer January 8, 2009

I got this e-mail the other day from an amazing volunteer whom I love dearly.  He shared this with me and it’s too good to keep all to myself.  Thank you, Barron.  Check this out…

Hi All

As the first day of the New Year came to a close, I took a sunset flight, and just looking at God’s beauty from two thousand feet, I just think it is so awesome how blessed we are. This is not a special photo with any alterations, just God’s ‘regular old sunset’.

We should all thank God for blessing us in ways that we never realize. Despite all the resolutions and things that we promise ourselfs that we are going to change to be better, lets just focus on what God already provides for us, and pray daily and thank Him for His mercy and grace He provides.

Lets just be still and listen to what he says, take that time every day to focus on Him…and listen.

We don’t realize how good we have it.

4:15 is back January 8, 2009

9,314 people were at church last weekend and the college students are not even back yet. Last year we were at 7,895 in attendance.   This weekend is going to be way over 10,000 in attendance.  There were 2300 people at the 6pm service alone.  People, I just said at a 6pm service.  That’s crazy!  At student ministry last night there were 629 kids there and 76 received Christ.  NewSpring Greenville had 1,959 people in attendance this past weekend.  God is huge and showing us things here in South Carolina that most people never get to see.  We saw over 1600 people receive Jesus into their lives in 2008 and 933 get baptized.  These numbers will triple in 2009.
There are only 95 people currently on staff at NewSpring. 95 people.  That is all.  Obviously, we are not the only ones in ministry.  There are 2,478 volunteers in Anderson and 293 volunteers in Greenville and Florence.  2,771 people serve in ministry every week to make NewSpring happen.  2,771 volunteers selflessly served in 2008 so that 1600 people can spend eternity with Jesus.  Numbers do matter.
Thank you for you and your passion to make the name of Jesus famous.  Thank you for your willingness to do whatever, whenever.  Thank you for embracing change.  Thank you for loving people where they are.  Thank you for being committed and contagious.
As we move forward and embrace the huge numbers of people who will be attending NewSpring over the next year we are adding back the 4:15pm service on Sunday, January 18th.  As we staff the 4:15pm volunteer opportunities please let your leader or staff coordinator know if you would like to step into serving at this service time.  Your leader or coordinator may be contacting you about this opportunity within the next few weeks.

I think i’m going to like it in there! December 29, 2008

I got this e-mail this week from an amazing woman and volunteer here at NewSpring.  The week before Christmas NewSpring went to three schools in Anderson and one school in Greenville and supplied over 1600 kids with a pair of shoes and jackets or backpacks.  There were some kids wearing shoes two sizes smaller than what they needed.  The kids faces were unforgetable.  Check this out…

Had to share this with you…my sister used to be the math coach at Verennes Elementary but now has position in district office where she covers several elementary and middle schools.  Any way…she was at Verennes when you guys took the shoes and backpacks.  She said the kids were so excited and proud.  She said she was standing at the door as they filed the kids in to get there stuff and all the NewSpring peeps were clapping and cheering as they came in.  She said one little boy towards the back of the line turned to the kid behind him and said…”I think I’m going to like it in there!”.

How precious is that???  I hope that’s the way visitors at NewSpring feel when they pull up in the parking lot  and are greeted with warm and loving smiles…I bet they say…”I think I’m going to like it in there!”

Thanks for being you…a woman with a passion for God, our church and our volunteers .

Christmas 2008 December 29, 2008

These are a few pictures of the tree with some of the gifts that were brought for the toy drive.  We were able to supply Christmas gifts for hundreds of families in our community.  Thank you for giving.

Oh Christmas Tree December 29, 2008

passion still shines December 29, 2008

I got an e-mail today that I wanted to share with our volunteers.  Check this out…

My wife and I had the opportunity to slip in on Saturday and be apart of the 6:00 pm service. We brought our little girl Hannah Rose and she did awesome (so the volunteer said). I just wanted to take the time to let you know that we really enjoyed our experience, your staff and the volunteers were great they made it easier to leave Hannah and enjoy the worship experience knowing that she was safe and well taken care of. The young man that showed us to the Flute Room (I think that is what it was called) was great he talked to us as well as Hannah trying to answer any questions that we might have as we went and to make us all a little more comfortable. I was glad he was there because with all the hustle and bustle and the large crowd we probably would of gotten lost and would have missed the start of the service. When we checked her into the room the volunteer made sure again to answer any questions and to point out how things were done and as we were leaving to head to our seat we noticed the police/security floating the children’s area which eased my wife quickly.  From the time we checked her in until we left everyone greeted us with love and care even though they didn’t know us. Once we got home my wife even noticed that Hannah’s diaper bag had been very neatly packed and that things were not just shoved in it to rush us out the door.

I have served on staff at several churches and worked with a lot of great people, but the volunteers at NewSpring and especially the Nursery/Children’s area were great. We hope and pray that when we are released from our current staff positions that God will allow us to play some small part in the work at NewSpring. Thanks again and I hope that you have a Safe, Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Oh yeah my wife and I really enjoyed the worship service it was awesome to see so many give their hearts to the Lord. Thank you all the entire staff and volunteers for being obedient to the Lord.

One last thing, it is really a side note, my wife and I were very impressed that the parking crew. They stood in the rain and the cold to still guide the way for all of us. I don’t know if you could let someone know but that was impressive that their passion still shines through the rain and that I really appreciate their dedication and commitment to God and to His Church. Not that my appreciation means much but what they do, and all of you are doing, really does matter.

Again thanks for a great experience!
Serving Christ while serving others,

Let’s get this PARTY started December 2, 2008

The atrium is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and I like it!  I cannot wait for you guys to see it.  We have some very talented volunteers here.  This Sunday the Christmas Party is getting started.  You don’t want to miss the worship time when the kids (1st – 5th grade) will be leading us.  Get here early!  Also, don’t forget to bring your new, unwrapped toys for us to give to those who need them.

I cannot believe we get to be a part of such an amazing church and movement of God.  Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us.